The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes far reaching provisions of investment in health information technology.

According to Sec. 9202, "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States..."

The investment includes a directive for health information technology architecture that will support the nationwide electronic exchange and use of health information in a secure, private, and accurate manner, including connecting health information exchanges.

Besides integration of health information technology, training and dissemination of information on best practices for health professionals is targeted. Along with telemedicine infrastructure, interoperability of clinical data repositories are also promoted in the final legislation.

As a result of this legislation, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 90 percent of doctors and 70 percent of hospitals will be using comprehensive electronic health records within the next decade, according to a summary of the bill released by the Ways and Means Committee staff.

Strategically, it is important to analyze and assess the entire business process as health management record concepts are transitioned into this new electronic world. Understanding these fundamentals in the management of change will help to enhance decision making and planning throughout the entire life cycle of the electronic health record.

The American Health Information Management Association defines electronic health records management as the process by which electronic (e.g., digital) health records are created or received and preserved for evidentiary (e.g., legal or business) purposes.

If you have questions about decision making and planning of your electronic health records management, contact i/oTrak's team of document management professionals for a free consultation.